Ecce Rex

“Behold your King…” (Zechariah 9:9). These are the words of the prophet Zechariah, now fulfilled in Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He comes to us, meek and lowly, riding on a donkey. What an image to have beheld. The crowd wild with excitement, waving palm branches and throwing their cloaks upon the ground and exclaiming “Hosanna to the son of David, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matt 21:9).

We echo their sentiments today as we enter the church with palm leaves in our hand. We too welcome the King of the Universe and ask always for His mercy and for His grace. What a joy it is to be in this place, to be here in the presence of so great a King, and truly present will he be, body, blood soul and divinity.

Let us worship the righteous King, the One who welcomes us and calls us to himself. Let us behold him who takes away the sins of the world. For blessed are we who are called to this altar, blessed are we who are called to this great feast.

What great a gift we have been given. The King of all creation has humbled himself to be here with us today, to be present here on this altar in bread and wine. What more could we, the children of God ask for? How close is our King, how welcome in this place.

Let us rejoice, dear friends as we approach the altar today, let us acknowledge the King and pay Him homage. For He has not regarded his stately nature, but humbled himself to be among us, to walk with us in our daily lives. Come let us adore so great a King.

O praise the King from whom all blessing come, praise Him who condescends to us in our lowliness, so as to lift us up in Himself and bring us to so great a reward.

All hail to the King of Kings! All praise to the Lord of Lords.

“Oh Lord, You who have humbled yourself to be among us, be here with us today in this sacrifice on your altar. Be present here in flesh and blood and pour out upon us your children every grace and heavenly blessing. Do not be far from us this day O great King but draw nearer to us and we here draw near to you. Fill us anew with your Holy Spirit and kindle in us a great fire of your love, and by your love transform us into love itself, so that like you, in all this we may be pleasing to the Father. We ask this and all things always in Jesus’ name. Amen”